Wednesday, March 27, 2013

À l'œuvre, on connaît l'artisan

It was out of a desire to know more about early
western vehicles that, nearly two decades ago, we began searching for greater information
on the subject.While it began as a
hobby, the depth of study has driven our files of primary source research
materials much deeper.In fact, the
pursuit has grown to include literally thousands of period photos, original
catalogs, broadsides, and promotional and business pieces related to heavy
wood-wheeled vehicle makers in the U.S.No
matter how much we discover, though, I never cease to be amazed – and humbled –
at how much more there is to learn.The
search for more details about America’s earliest and largest transportation
industry is truly never-ending.The good
news is that the quest often turns up extraordinary pieces tied to some of the
most exciting eras of American history.

Recently, the value of our commitment to constantly
learn and grow our archives was reinforced as our Wheels That Won The West®
collection (WTWTW) of images and information was tapped by the leading French
equestrian publication, “Attelages” magazine.Profiled in an extensive article entitled, “The Conquest of the West,” by
Stephan Broeckx, a number of period western vehicle images and historical
highlights were selected from our archives.The story introduction is dominated by a WTWTW photo showing an early freight
wagon pulled by a unique hitch of 5 horses.Other photographic highlights from our files include an early mud coach
in Oregon, a small wagon shop in Wisconsin, a surviving Peter Schuttler wagon and
a Fish Bros. wagon, restored by Hansen Wheel and Wagon Shop, that we were able
to assist with dating, authentication and restoration details.

In addition to our weekly blog and regular additions
of original articles on our website, we expect to have several other articles
printed by additional publications this year.Combined with the upcoming Volume 2 edition of our “Borrowed Time”
western vehicle book series (Peter Schuttler), we’re busy sharing even more
exclusive and little-known history.We’re
pleased to continue to help fill a niche by showcasing so many of the vehicles
that helped build America.

In keeping with the spirit of the recent French article,
the title of this blog is À
l'œuvre, on connaît l'artisan.Roughly
translated, it’s a reminder that the craftsman is known by his work.It’s our hope that, along with so many other
historians and enthusiasts, our ephemeral archeology and historical
preservation work will ultimately be viewed as beneficial research for generations
to come.

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About Me

The Wheels That Won The West® collection spans more than two centuries of horse drawn vehicle manufacture. It contains scarce imagery, specifications, correspondence, promotional literature & other all-but-forgotten historical details of the workings of America’s early western transportation industry. The subject is a huge and virtually untouched aspect of western study; rich with untold stories of personal, corporate & national dreams. Focusing on the heavier farm, freight, ranch, coach, business & military vehicles that built the western frontier of the U.S., our research and articles have been published by the American Chuck Wagon Association, National Stagecoach & Freight Wagon Association, Santa Fe Trail Association, The Carriage Journal, Farm Collector, Driving Digest & Wild West magazines as well as the Wheels That Won The West® website & numerous other traditional and on-line publications.
Complementing our commitment to research, publishing, entertainment & promotional projects, we are frequently called on for vehicle consulting, identification & authentication work. If you have a question about our products & services, please drop us a line. We’d love to hear from you.